MANDYA: Amid a raging debate on the stability of Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam between Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh and JD(S) leaders, including former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, the collapse of a part of the staircase to the reservoir’s embankment on Sunday evening triggered a furore and spread panic.
Officials of Cauvery Neeravari Nigam said that work on fixing the wall began on Monday morning. Allaying fears that the collapse was a sign of the dam’s weak structure, they said the staircase had been constructed using mud and incessant rain over the past few days resulted in its crumbling and eventual collapse. The officials reiterated that there was no structural connection between the staircase and the wall of the dam, both of which were 15m apart.
“The staircase near the Cauvery statue was built mostly using mud, and constant rain over the past few days resulted in its collapse. This does not mean the dam is not safe,” a CNNL official said.
However, this opinion was not endorsed by all CNNL officials. Pointing out that the entire structure had been constructed simultaneously, they said collapse of any fragment of the structure ought to be viewed in a serious light.
The incident raised the hackles of those living downstream, particularly at a time when the water level at the dam is inching closer to the 100-foot mark.
